Pereira accuses Gane of illegal strikes at UFC Freedom 250
Alex Pereira has accused Ciryl Gane of landing illegal strikes to the back of his head during their bout at UFC Freedom 250.
The former heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion released a statement Tuesday saying Gane connected with blows to the prohibited area and took aim at referee Herb Dean for not intervening, according to ESPN. Pereira also questioned Dean's credibility as an official in the Octagon.
Pereira's complaint centers on back-of-head rule
Strikes to the back of the head are forbidden under unified MMA rules because of the potential for serious injury to the brainstem and spinal cord. Dean, a veteran referee with over two decades of experience, did not issue warnings or deduct points during the fight.
Neither the UFC nor the Nevada State Athletic Commission has commented on Pereira's claims. Gane has not responded publicly to the allegations.
Reported via:
- ESPN MMA — Pereira accuses Gane of illegal blows to head
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